DATE: Saturday, March 1, 1997               TAG: 9703010004

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A12  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  122 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

REGIONALISM

NHL rejection wasn't our

only setback

Last week, Hampton Roads suffered two setbacks. The first, and most publicized, was the National Hockey League's rejection of the area's bid for an expansion franchise. Being bypassed for the likes of Columbus and Oklahoma City isn't as devastating as one of the major reasons for the rejection: the area's lack of political unity.

The second setback occurred when the Rules Committee of the House of Delegates killed a bill to fund a study to determine the feasibility of a regional agency to provide certain services for all of Hampton Roads. This proposed agency could potentially oversee water supply, transportation, wastewater management, solid-waste management and recycling, and land-use and urban-growth management.

Conceivably, this agency would be modeled after the Hampton Roads Sanitation District Commission. HRSD is the one shining example of an organization that has been able to overcome the divisiveness of local politics and provide a needed service to all of Hampton Roads.

Until some other solution is developed, Hampton Roads will remain a ``minor league'' player in economic growth as well as sports franchises.

Terry Eikenbery

Virginia Beach, Feb. 24, 1997

COMICS

Rabies too lethal

for shaggy-dog

jokes

This letter is in reference to the ``Ask Shagg'' cartoon in the Sunday, Feb. 23, paper. I am a local family physician and I was horrified when I read the reply to the question, ``How do animals get rabies?'' The reply that ``somebody gets bit'' and they get ``an uncontrollable urge to borrow your toothbrush'' is totally inappropriate in a comic strip meant for kids.

Rabies is the most lethal infectious illness in recorded human history and is 100 percent fatal if caught. Children should know that any animal that acts strangely should be avoided at all costs and an adult informed immediately. They should also know that being bitten by a strange animal could lead to rabies, so they should let an adult know if this occurs. If treatment is begun quickly, rabies may be avoided and a life saved.

I just don't think rabies is a topic to make jokes about in a children's cartoon. Remember that rabies is endemic in this area and found in wild animals three to four times a year.

E. Thomas Freeman, M.D.

Virginia Beach, Feb. 24, 1997

SAMARITANS

Don't prejudge

Coalition's promises

The Feb. 3 editorial, ``Christian Coalition and Racial Injustice: Same old programs,'' accuses the Christian Coalition of issuing its new agenda, the Samaritan Project, for self-serving political reasons. Prejudging the Christian Coalition before it's had an opportunity to show its genuine intentions is a form of prejudice.

Is there something wrong with religious conservatives saying ``do right''? Let's be real. Our children can't read, our young people find more hope in drugs than in school, the number of teen pregnancies are still rising, the number of homeless in the inner city continue to grow.

As pastor of an inner-city church, I pray every day for help, and if this is how God wants to bring it, who am I to say no?

And let me add this: While there are areas where we differ, I have found Ralph Reed to be a man of his word. It's time for all of us to join together and work to heal our country, regardless of the color of our skins or our political affiliations.

The Rev. Anthony C. Paige

First Baptist Church

of Lambert's Point

Norfolk, Feb. 20, 1997

PATRIOTISM

Americans should stand behind their president

I cannot understand what has happened to the American people. We all used to be proud and patriotic.

I grew up during the Second World War, the son of a naturalized Filipino father who served in the U.S. Navy, and an Irish mother from New York City. My father took his voting rights very seriously.

When I was a boy, my dad told me, when you vote for a president, pick who you feel is most qualified. But if the other candidate wins, you must stand behind him for he is now our president.

I am not concerned that J.F.K. or R.F.K. had sex with movie stars, or even with the Kenneth Starr investigation. It does not interest me that Mr. Clinton tried a marijuana cigarette 25 years ago when he was still a boy. What really concerns me is the job Mr. Clinton does now, as my president.

I think it's high time we stand behind him, because he is our president, and take more pride in being a part of the United States of America.

Robert F. Cubilla

Norfolk, Feb. 21, 1997

LANDMARKS

Why the hurry to tear down the past?

I am discouraged by the seemingly prevalent attitude that old is worthless - and that we have to fight tooth and nail to save aging and fragile structures.

Is there one recognizable brick in Norfolk General Hospital? The Colonial Theater has gone; will the others remain? Will the Navy Y building downtown have a future? W.H. Taylor Elementary School seems to be looking at the wrecking ball. Will Blair Middle School be next?

Ironically, there have been wonderful feature stories in the last few weeks on renovations in Portsmouth and Smithfield. Portsmouth received landmark status in December for two structures in its downtown, and nominated another. Virginia Beach nominated a structure.

When was the last time Norfolk nominated any site? There are plans, being held back by the city manager's office, to nominate Norfolk's older cemeteries, but the process is slowing the plan down. On the other hand, the process is running out of control where Taylor Elementary is concerned. Seemingly, the building cannot come down fast enough.

We do not need to live in the past every day of our lives, but we do need to learn to live with the past - respect it, honor it, preserve it.

Margaret H. Elinsky

Norfolk, Feb. 25, 1997

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